VIDEO: Car 'snaps in two' in crash at Winternationals

DRAG racing fans collectively held their breath when racing legend Phil Lamattina crashed his Top Fuel dragster in spectacular fashion at the weekend.

The 39-year-old Victorian drag racer is recovering in hospital after shattering his vertebrae when his car "snapped in two" and became airborne at the Fuchs Winternationals in Willowbank at about 3pm on Saturday.

Lamattina was conscious and alert following the accident and was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition.